FIA World Touring Car Championship to Host First Race on American Soil in Sonoma

Friday, March 30, 2012

Infineon Raceway will again feature one of the most diverse motor-racing schedules in the country during the 2012 Big O Tires Racing Season, highlighted by the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend, June 22-24.

In addition to NASCAR, the season will also include the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, IZOD IndyCar® Series, AMA Pro Road Racing and historic car racing. New for 2012, the FIA World Touring Car Championship will host its first-ever race on American soil, Sept. 21-23.

NASCAR continues to headline the season in Sonoma as the series marks its 24th annual visit to Infineon Raceway. The race has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable on the circuit as tempers flare on the road course’s tight turns. Race fans will also be treated to the best air show on the NASCAR circuit during pre-race ceremonies on Sunday, June 24, with the six-jet Patriots Jet Team.

Drag racing will again play a major part in the 2012 season, highlighted by the 25th annual NHRA Sonoma Nationals, July 27-29. Six track records were broken over the 2011 race weekend, including speed and elapsed time in Funny Car (John Force) and Pro Stock (Allen Johnson). The NHRA Division 7 Drag Races, presented by Korbel, will be hosted the weekend prior, July 20-22.

The Indy® Grand Prix of Sonoma marks the IZOD IndyCar Series’ 8th annual visit to Infineon Raceway, Aug. 24-26, and its only stop in Northern California. Team Penske’s Will Power continued his domination in Sonoma in 2011, becoming the first back-to-back race winner in seven years.

Raceway officials are excited about the addition of the FIA World Touring Car Championship to the 2012 calendar. The September race weekend will be highlighted by two 30-minute sprint races on Sunday, Sept. 23, that will include plenty of action. With just 30 minutes in each race, drivers will make active use of their fenders to reach the front of the field. Manufacturers include BMW, Chevrolet, SEAT and Volvo. The series has a strong following globally as each race is broadcast in 59 countries.

“The first time I saw these cars race, I knew they belonged on our track,” said Steve Page, president and general manager of Infineon Raceway. “From the moment the green flag drops, the whole field is in a flat-out sprint for the lead. It’s going to be quite a show.”

Infineon Raceway will also host the best in motorcycles with AMA Pro Road Racing, featuring doubleheaders in both SuperBike and Daytona SportBike at the West Coast Moto Jam, May 4-6. The weekend will also feature Supermoto USA, as well as electric motorcycle racing with the return of the TTXGP U.S. Championship.

Historic car racing will take center stage during two unique weekends, including the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival (June 2-3) and the Classic Sports Racing Group Charity Challenge (Oct. 5-6).

Featured Event

The Toyota/Save Mart 350 roars into Sonoma June 22-24, and it’s guaranteed to be a wild ride. It’s the biggest rush to hit wine country, and you won’t want to miss a second of the action on and off track.